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Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, addresses a recent Jamaica Information Service Think tank.

Jamaicans Urged to Build Back Better to Strengthen Earthquake Resilience

As Jamaica continues recovery efforts following the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is urging Jamaicans to rebuild in a way that strengthens the country’s resilience to earthquakes. Speaking during a recent Jamaica...

Chairman of the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Committee (NLPBC), Pastor Claudia Ferguson (left), has the attention of (from second left) President and Chief Executive Officer of the VM Group, Courtney Campbell; Chief Executive Officer of the VM Foundation, Samantha Charles; Secretary of NLPBC, Rev. Dr. Wayneford McFarlane, and member of Manning’s School Past Students' Association, Jonathan Brown. The occasion was a recent press briefing at the VM Group on Half-Way Tree Road in St. Andrew, to outline details for the 46th Annual National Leadership Prayer Breakfast, which will be held at the Boulevard Baptist Church in St. Andrew, on January 15, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

National Leadership Prayer Breakfast to Unite Nation in Rebuilding After Hurricane Melissa

Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, addresses the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation’s monthly meeting on Tuesday (January 13). The meeting was held at the Corporation’s office in downtown Kingston.

KSAMC Proposes Decentralisation of Waste Management Programme

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon

Individuals, Entities Invited to Adopt Hurricane-Damaged Homes Across St. James

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (second left), shakes hands with Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Minister Eric Sogocio (second right), during the handover ceremony for humanitarian items donated by Brazil in aid of Hurricane Melissa relief and recovery efforts at the Ministry’s Port Royal Street offices in downtown Kingston on Tuesday (January 13). Sharing the moment are Senior Director, Mitigation, Planning and Research, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Michelle Edwards (left), and Representative of the Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Counsellor Arnaldo Salbert.

Brazil Donates Humanitarian Supplies to Support Post-Hurricane Melissa Recovery

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston, on Wednesday (January 14).

3 months ago Hurricane Relief & RecoveryLabourSocial Security

PM Launches Shelter Recovery Programme on January 15

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, will on Thursday (January 15) launch the Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP), which will provide reconstruction and rehabilitation support for households impacted by Hurricane Melissa. The announcement was made by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., during a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in...

3 months ago Local Government

St. James Municipal Corporation Expediting Approvals for Tourism Recovery

The St. James Municipal Corporation is taking steps to expedite the permits and approvals system to accelerate the restoration of tourism operations in the parish. Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, said that the measures include streamlining the permitting process, prioritising inspections and facilitating inter-agency collaboration to reduce administrative delays. He said that the objective is to shorten rebuilding...

Custos of Manchester, Hon. Garfield Green.

3 months ago Local Government

Manchester Now Has a JP Directory

Citizens of Manchester now have access to a comprehensive directory, listing all the Justices of the Peace (JPs) who serve the parish. The directory, which is available in both hard and soft-copy formats, provides contact information for the JPs, including address, making it easier for members of the public to locate an official to attest documents and perform other civic...

Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Public Education Officer, Superintendent Emeleo Ebanks, emphasises the importance of preparedness and calm response in the event of an earthquake, while speaking during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’.

3 months ago CommunityDevelopmentLocal Government

Jamaicans Urged to Stay Prepared and Calm in the Event of Earthquake

Persons are being urged to prioritise preparedness and remain calm should Jamaica experience an earthquake. This urging comes from Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Education Officer, Superintendent Emeleo Ebanks, who spoke during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’. He explained that preparation is critical in helping individuals remain composed during disasters. “Don’t panic. I know that’s the easiest thing...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (second right), along with (from left) State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge; Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member of Parliament for St. Andrew East Rural, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness; Chairman, Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association (JCEA), Dr. Norman Grant, and Acting Director General, Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA), Wayne Hunter, examine freshly picked coffee beans at Guava Ridge Basic School in St. Andrew on January 9, as part of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day celebrations.

3 months ago AgricultureHurricane Relief & Recovery

Coffee Farmers Urged to Plant Short-Term Crops After Hurricane Melissa Losses

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, is encouraging coffee farmers in the hilly terrains to begin intercropping with short-term crops, following the loss of 40 per cent of coffee during Hurricane Melissa. He made the call to hundreds of farmers gathered at Guava Ridge Basic School in St. Andrew, while addressing the 8th Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee...

National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) Executive Director, Audley Gordon, speaks at a press briefing, held at the agency’s head office in Kingston on Monday (January 12). The briefing was used to outline the operational measures the NSWMA has implemented to accelerate the removal of approximately 500,000 truckloads of debris from hurricane-damaged parishes.

3 months ago CommunityDevelopmentLocal Government

NSWMA Begins Clearing Debris from Independence Park in Black River

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) began clearing debris from Independence Park in Black River, St. Elizabeth, on Monday (January 12). This was noted by Executive Director at the NSWMA, Audley Gordon, at a press briefing held at the agency’s Half-Way Tree Road headquarters in Kingston, on January 12. Mr. Gordon explained that the park was used as a...

Scientific Officer, Earthquake Unit (EQU), Karleen Black, addresses a recent JIS Think Tank focused on Earthquake Awareness.

3 months ago Local GovernmentOffice of the Prime Minister

Jamaicans Urged to Keep Emergency Kits Ready Year-Round

With Earthquake Awareness Week now under way, citizens are being reminded that having an emergency kit is always essential, as earthquakes can occur without warning. Speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank, Scientific Officer at the Earthquake Unit (EQU), Karleen Black, said that a well-prepared hurricane kit also serves as an effective earthquake kit and should be kept ready year-round....